Full scale of 'dementia tax' revealed as cases rise to record high

The Liberal Democrats have condemned Theresa May's proposed "dementia tax," as official figures have revealed the number of people diagnosed with dementia reached a record high last month.

NHS statistics show that in April 2017, the number of patients recorded by GPs as having dementia was 442,000, more than double the 220,000 cases recorded 10 years ago.

People with dementia often need care in their own homes for many years, meaning they would be hit with crippling costs to pay for their own care under Conservative proposals.

Over 134,000 patients with dementia were below the age of 79, while 307,000 were 80 or older.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb commented:

"These figures reveal the impact Theresa May's dementia tax will have on thousands of vulnerable people across the country.

"Frail and elderly people receiving care in their own home will now face a 'Personal Death Tax' charged against their home. And the more help you need, the more Theresa May will snatch away when you die.

""It is a betrayal of those who work hard all their lives, end up with a condition like dementia through no fault of their own and will now be hit with crippling costs to pay for their care.

"The Liberal Democrats will stand up to Theresa May's cold, mean-spirited Britain, and fight for a cap on social care costs to protect people in their old age."



Notes:

NHS digital figures on dementia diagnoses published today can be found here

Under Conservative proposals, for the first time, many people who receive care at home will have their home taken into account, to meet the costs when they die. This will apply to the almost half a million people who receive domiciliary care in the UK. Figures on the share of the average family home expected to be spent on social care costs by area can be found here, based on calculations provided by Royal London.

The Liberal Democrats in coalition secured a commitment to introduce a cap on care costs from 2016. However this was first delayed by the Conservative government and has now been scrapped. The Liberal Democrats have committed in their manifesto to implementing the recommendations of the Dilnot Commission, which would mean a cap on care costs of £72,000